by David Ekrut
“Months have passed while we were in the space between.”
“Right.” He had forgotten that detail. It had felt like seconds. “Where is this space between exactly?”
“Between the realms. It is where the transcendents dwell. Transcendents are those magi who have mastered the incantation called the Infinite Plane. They will a domain into existence, where their spirits dwell for all time. The transcendent’s demi-plane exists in the place between, adjacent to the realm of spirits and the physical realm.”
“How many transcendents are there?”
“As far as we know, there are three. And they are at war with one another, maneuvering for more of the plane parallel to the physical realm.”
“The shadow realm?”
“Aye. The Realm of Spirits. Once giving up their bodies, they cannot return here.”
Elwin still had not spoken of his conversation with Abaddon. The Seeker seemed to believe he could come back.
“Are you certain?” Elwin asked. “That they cannot return?”
“Yes. The first transcendent was the one who taught my ancestors the incantations. You have heard of the Library of Tanier?”
Elwin nodded.
“It is in the Librarian’s demi-plane. Before Abaddon, he opened his archives to all magi, sharing all known histories and truths. After the Seeker took dominion over half of the Shadow Realm, the Librarian forbade all save my people access to his knowledge. Until roughly seventeen years ago, when he even closed his doors to us.”
“What happened seventeen years ago?”
“The Lady Nature transcended. She guides us now.”
“That can’t be true. I saw your paintings. According to your history, the Lady Nature is thousands of years old.”
“All life is a circle. What has been will be again. Athina is the current manifestation of the Lady Nature that was.”
Elwin took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He was inclined to pass Daki’s words off as superstition and tradition, but after all he’d seen, he was no longer certain. And Abaddon had mentioned this librarian, whoever he was.
“What about this other transcendent?” Elwin asked. “Where is he?”
“The Librarian has gone quiet, no longer sharing his plans. We do know, he is actively affecting the physical world once more, something he promised he would never do. He has taken a construct.”
Elwin gave Daki a sideways glance. “Come on, Daki. Do I need to ask?”
“My apologies. I am still accustomed to withholding knowledge, but you are one of us now. A construct is a vessel in the physical realm. A body to house a piece of the transcendent’s consciousness. It weakens him in his own realm, but he is free to move the construct around as if he were still living.”
“So, where does this body come from?”
“It must be a living vessel. The person must be sentient and willing.”
“What happens to the person?”
“As far as we know, the spirit is trapped within the construct as well, but lacks the capacity to control even an eye blink.”
“That’s … wrong. He just took someone over? How could he do that?”
“I do not know. Such knowledge is not commonly shared, but Abaddon will use a similar incantation to return.”
“How do you know that?”
“Abaddon has come to my people in the same way he has come to yours. He has offered knowledge in exchange for servitude. Most have refused him, but some have not.”
“What is stopping him from taking a construct?”
“We do not know all of the details. They are guarded for obvious reasons. I do know that it will take great power and assistance from a person in the physical realm. For example, the Lady Nature, once called Athina, aided in acquiring a construct for the Librarian in exchange for transcendency. I assume Abaddon is using Bain for a similar purpose.”
“Right,” Elwin said at last. “So, there is a place between where a magus can transfer his spirit and live forever. What happens to the person’s body?”
“It is burned as fuel for the incantation. One must speak the proper words swiftly and correctly before being consumed. There are no second chances.”
Elwin walked alongside the river for several minutes, trying to absorb the knowledge. All this time, he’d practically begged for answers, but for every one, three more questions rose. Transcendents and other worldly places? Abaddon had all but promised his return.
“Daki,” Elwin asked, “do you think this Librarian is responsible for the dragons? It seems too much to be a coincidence that he has taken a construct now, and the dragons have risen.”
“Perhaps. He is the one who gave us the incantation to wake them the first time to stand against Abaddon, but I do not believe he would do so again.”
“Why not? He stole a person’s body. Someone who could do that to another would do anything.”
Daki only frowned, and then grew silent.
After several minutes, Elwin decided to switch the topic. “Do you know how the dragons were placed into their slumber? Maybe we can replicate the incantation.”
“Only Abaddon knows. He is the one to send them to their great sleep, which is why it is believed only one of his blood could wake them. We see now, this was not true. I am not certain of anything now. The first prophecies came from the Librarian.”
“He lied,” Elwin said.
“It is possible that he was mistaken. Remember, the transcendents are like us. In many ways, they are still people.”
“I’ve never heard any of this.”
“No. You would not have. Since the rise of the Seeker, the magi have coveted their secrets.”
“Then it is good that I have this incantia.”
“Yes. Fate has favored you with the incantations and a guide.”
“Not fate. A book merchant, named Asalla. He is most certainly a magus. If only I could find him, maybe he could answer some of these questions for us.”
“It is curious he would give you such a tome. In fact, sharing such secrets is forbidden amongst all orders of magi, except from master to apprentice. This Asalla could face execution for giving that tome to you. Avoid sharing the incantia’s existence with any magus you meet, even those we seek in Wiltshire. In truth, it is a surprise Malekia did not take it for our own libraries.”
He would not have given it up easily, but rather than pointing that out, he asked, “Do you think the Order of the Sun and Stars will know how to stop the dragons?”
“No. I doubt it.”
Without warning, Taego grumbled and waded into the river.
“He is hungry,” Daki explained. “Shall we break for a meal?”
“Sure.”
The bear scooped a few fish from the flowing water, making it clear he held no intentions of sharing by turning his back to them. Daki shared dried beef with Elwin, which they ate in less than a minute.
Elwin was the first to return to marching. Daki followed without complaint. Taego growled and lumbered begrudgingly behind them.
The trees were different than those of his home. Many were covered in green needles with broad cones. Instead of the massive redwoods, thin trunks formed odd angles and grew broad leaves on lean branches. Eventually, their small river fed into the much larger King’s River. The ground was flat near the water and less rocky as they journeyed away from the mountains. At the bend in the river, the dirt road became a cobbled highway, taking them south.
Just after midday, he saw the smoke of chimneys in the distance. Another hour of travel revealed a walled city. Tall buildings of stone were built atop one another in neat rows. Red-brown streets separated the white structures into square clusters. In the center of the city, Elwin could see a wide patch of greenery. In the middle of the yard was a broad, gray platform. People moved between tables and booths filled with goods.
&nb
sp; Docks lined the river, which was at least a half-mile from the city wall. Several buildings, much like the Madrowl’s warehouse, covered much of the space, but there were a few homes or shops nestled in between the larger structures.
Taego snorted and patted the ground.
“Yes,” Daki said. “I agree. It would be wise for you to wait here, somewhere out of sight.”
Once more, the bear waded into the river.
As they continued along the path toward the city, Daki said, “I apologize for his mood. Fall is in the air. If we were still in Justice, he would be fattening up for his long sleep. He likes to remind me, that thanks to you, he will be forced to remain awake this year. It is not your fault, of course. I told him to stay in the Carotid, but he insisted on coming along and should not grumble.”
“I understand. And I’m grateful to both of you.”
Daki bowed, giving a humble expression. Taego snorted.
Elwin sighed, continuing onward.
Well-worn tracks led from the cobblestone highway to the occasional farm to the east or boathouse alongside the river, now west of them. As they neared the city, Elwin felt the residue of Elemental power emanating from the wall and buildings inside. He’d forgotten that all the cities of Alcoa had been constructed from tamings. The thought made him miss home. He would not likely get another lesson from Jasmine. Had she even woken from her injuries? He might never know.
Several wagons waited in an orderly line outside the wide gate. Two men stood out front, stopping each one. Once they reached the back of the queue, Elwin craned his head far enough to the side to get a good look at the guards. Each wore the crest of the guardians on his breast. Elwin snapped his head out of sight.
“What is the matter?” Daki asked.
“Guardians of Life are checking people before allowing them into the city. What I can remember of Jasmine’s lessons, Alcoa has always made guests register with the gate before entering any city of note, but why use the guardians and not the city guards? This is new, right?”
Daki shrugged. His lips made a thin line.
The queue moved forward several paces. Elwin remembered the inquisitor who had been preaching to the people in Justice. He felt suddenly ill.
Elwin leaned in conspiratorially. “Zaak had feared the guardians would incite the people to rise up and overthrow the crown. What if the same is true here? We’ve been gone for two months. Anything could have happened in that time. We have no way of knowing.”
“What should we do?” Daki asked.
“Disguises.”
Daki glanced down at his sun-darkened body and loincloth. “I cannot hide my heritage.”
“I’ve got an idea. Follow my lead.”
As the wagon in front of him moved through the gates, Elwin found himself staring at the guardian. He did his best not to look at the emblem on the man’s leather armor and cloak, but he could still see the flame resting inside the crescent moon from his periphery.
“Name and business.”
“My name is Faron Inkwell,” he said, purposely enunciating each word. “I am a scribe.”
He held his breath as the guardian turned an appraising eye on Elwin’s attire. “A scribe, and you hail from the north?”
“Yes,” he said honestly, but he immediately realized his poor choice. They’d only passed the homes of farmers and fisherman north of the city and could think of no good reason for a scribe to venture out there.
“Inkwell,” the guardian said, slowly. “I don’t know that house name. Where is your home?”
“I do not live in the north. I only had business there.” He managed to look down his nose at the guard, even though the man stood half a foot taller. “You would not have heard of my home.”
“And why is that?”
He gestured to Daki. “I was raised the son of an emissary to his people.”
“You what? But he’s one of those forest children.”
“Chai Tu Naruo,” Elwin corrected.
“Hmm,” the guardian said. “That is a first. Why do you people traipse around without any—”
“Just let them through already,” the man behind Elwin said, pointing to his wagon of fish. “These are going to spoil.”
“Fine, fine,” he said, scribbling Elwin’s false name on the ledger. Beneath he wrote ‘Forest Child’ along with his and Daki’s physical appearances. “You two can go. But watch your step. I don’t want any trouble from you.”
Daki hurried through the gates, avoiding direct eye contact with the guardian, who glared at him until the fisherman cursed loudly enough to regain the man’s attention.
“For the love of Life,” Elwin said, when the guardian’s attention was no longer on him. “Is it always this difficult to get into a city?”
“No,” Daki said. “Not even for my people. And it is worrisome that the guardians control the gate.”
“Yeah,” Elwin agreed. “Something is definitely happening. And it isn’t good.”
Daki nodded his agreement.
They walked for several minutes before Elwin asked in a lower voice, “Where is this conclave?”
“The Order of the Sun and Stars is to the west.”
Daki looked intently at the wooden signs marking each street, leading them south and slightly west. Before long, the buildings grew in size, and the yards became more spacious, many surrounded by walls of various heights.
Another turn led to a large wall, which stretched alongside the whole of the street. There were no doors or gate. Daki walked west of the compound to a narrow alley that came to a dead end. From this vantage, he could see no openings in the walls to either side.
Daki continued unabated. In order to fit, Elwin was forced to turn and sidle behind his companion. He could feel the power of Earth snuff out the Air. He did his best to ignore the suffocating feeling, but he couldn’t tame a gust now if his life depended on it.
“This is it,” Daki said, stopping in front of a thick door, the same color as the wall. “Are you certain you wish to proceed? Once we enter, there is no turning back.”
“Yes. I am certain, but it’s getting late. Should we come back in the morning?”
“No. They will not be concerned with the hour. Likely, they are aware of your coming.”
“Fine,” Elwin said, looking at the door. “Should I just knock?”
Daki shook his head. “The portal will only respond to the proper sequence. Observe.”
A small clock-face rested in place of a handle. The metal dial at the center was that of a sunburst with a long ray pointing to stars around the outer edge. Daki moved the clock’s hand to point at the three. He counted quietly to five, then moved it to the one. After another pause, he moved it to the four, then back to the one, and stopped on the five.
There was a click, then the door vanished. Beyond, there was a corridor too dark to see the other end.
“Only the initiated and invited may enter the Order of the Sun and Stars,” a voice said. “Step forward and be judged.”
Taking a deep breath, Elwin walked into the darkened corridor. He’d already been judged by Daki’s people. What was the worst that could happen? After crossing the threshold, a feeling of warmth washed over him. The light vanished.
Then he felt nothing.
Chapter 18
A Broken Kingdom
Dear Anetia,
Thank you for your kind words, but no apology is necessary. I value your honesty and hope you do continue to be direct. I will not become the monsters we fight. Not so long as I have you as a voice of reason. I am most humane with the elementalists, as much as one can be when at war. The subjects are fed from my own table. I give them books to occupy their minds, and I gave them my Wakening Board to play against one another. It is the same one we played on during our training with the Makers. I have no one here to challeng
e me anyway.
~R., 2995 A.S.
~
Zarah leaned against the rail, watching the sun rise over the coast of Alcoa. Bright sand covered the beach for miles in both directions, giving way to a vast forest beyond, which was much greener than her homeland. Large white trees produced round shells and were topped with leaves, each as long a large man.
Birds with dark-tipped wings roamed the shoreline, picking fish out of the shallows.
“Quiet morning,” Feffer said, leaning against the rail beside her.
Zarah did not turn to look at him, preferring to watch the coastline to the ever-shifting specters around him. Since leaving Justice, the swirl of images around Feffer had increased three-fold. Picking out the path he might take was not always as easy to see as it had been.
“It was,” she agreed. “But now there is a nagging voice in my ear.”
“I haven’t started to nag just yet.”
“It is coming though.”
“Curse it all, Zarah.” He pulled the rod of sending from his cloak and glared at her. “It’s your father. The King. Again. Can I send a reply now?”
“No,” she said.
“He is only worried about you. Seeing as how we are almost to Alcoa, it is unlikely he will send a vessel after us. Can I please tell him you are alive. And with me. I still can’t believe you stowed away with the cargo. What am I saying? Of course I can believe it. You are the most headstrong pers—”
“Do not finish that,” she told him. “We are enjoying a pleasant day with a beautiful view of Alcoa. Do not spoil it. Besides, it has been over two months. I really wish you would stop with the incessant worrying over that which cannot be changed.”
“I know how long it has been. I’ve been listening to your father’s thousands of attempts to contact me this whole time. He will personally behead me when we get back home.”
“Do not be so dramatic. He cannot fault you, since you were merely following my orders.”
“Yes, but we are almost to Alcoa City. Can we not at least send word that we have arrived? Please?”
She watched Feffer’s expression, trying to focus on him in the present and not the apparitions of him moving in divergent directions. Over her time with this newfound mystic ability, she had realized most people had fewer possibilities stretching before them than Feffer. For instance, these sailors had worked together for years. The paths they would take were less varied, so the phantasmal figures moving quickly ahead of their actions appeared more solid than those around Feffer who was prone to volatility and compulsive behavior.
